Butte semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1886-1890, 1887-09-21
THE SALT ISSUE.

The Board Of Trade exemplifed its life
and its mission by appointing a committee
10 draft . memorial to the Union Pacific
railway setting forth in full the seriousness
on the salt situation and asking for such
modification OF the tariff as will enable the
Alice and other mills to maintain their
very existence. This report will be sub
mitted tonight. And judging by the quality
Of those to whom this all absorbing ques-
tios was committed, there will be made a
representation OF the case. which even the
slippery and elusive railway
aeement" cannot evade. The issues
that viii be raised in that memorial must
be fairly and squarely met. The question
at issue ia, will the Union Pacific so reduce
its exorbitant rate on salt as to enable the
silver mines OF Butte to maintain their ex.
istence on q dividend paying basis, or still
insist that they shall shut down and there
BY cause q loss to their owners and to the
Utah q Northern branch of the Union Pa
eine system, which has 30 long contributed
to the support of the main line and
enabled it to make u showing
that could stand of the Govern.
ment creditor Of the parent company.
There is no bluff whatever about this bust
ness. The rapacity OF this railway com.
pany has reached that degree OF egression
and oppression. in so far as this camp is
concerned, that more concession must be
made between now and the first Of the
month or the biggest silver mill in this
camp will shut down as directed by the
meeting of the Board in Sa,t.Lake on a
recent occasion. And it is not
certain but that other mills will
follow the example of the Alice.
Ths issue between the mill men OF Butte and
the Union Pacific is now up for final settle
ment and the question is whether The Union
Pacific will give the men upon whom they
have levied an exorbitant tribute for years
better terms from whom they have so
long enjoyed such exhorbitant rates.
or lose this business and
deprsss the industries OF the City
Of Butte which have so long sustained
the system. There is but on
solution Of this problem which can con-
duee to the mutual prosperity, and that is
better terms on the transportation of salt.
This we are sure Mr.. Potter will see imme-
diately upon his return from the East; for
w have great faith in his foresight and in
Ais sense Of the right.
-
Recurring again to the salt question, we
must say that this issue 10 supreme in this
camp. 1t bears upon it's present prosper
ity and it's fortunes for the future. It is q
question whether or not certain mills shall
shut down or continue to operate under
the uniavorable conditions which dictate
that no dividends be declared, and that
the shareholders shall continue to give
up their stuff to pay tribute
the Union Pacific Railroad. We trust
that tho committee OF the Board OF Trade
viii fully realise the Importance of the bust.
Bsss that they have in hand. Nothing so
has come up for the considera-
ton OF the Board since it was organized as |
such. It involves the question whether the /
mills Of this city shall be maintained in /
operations or whether they shall shut down
OF the exactions of this company, |
which owes go much to this camp in the
past, and upon which it must depend for
DO much in the future.